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The Christmas Sweater | 
enlarge | Authors: Glenn Beck, Kevin Balfe, Jason F. Wright Publisher: Threshold Editions Category: Book
List Price: $19.99 Buy New: $9.50 You Save: $10.49 (52%)
New (39) Used (20) Collectible (6) from $9.48
Rating: 245 reviews Sales Rank: 120
Media: Hardcover Pages: 284 Number Of Items: 1 Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8 Dimensions (in): 7.2 x 5.3 x 1.2
ISBN: 141659485X Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6 EAN: 9781416594857 ASIN: 141659485X
Publication Date: November 11, 2008 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Condition: As New
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Product Description
If You Could Change Your Life by Reversing Your Biggest Regrets, Sorrows and Mistakes...Would You? #1 New York Times bestselling author and renowned radio and television host Glenn Beck delivers an instant holiday classic about boyhood memories, wrenching life lessons, and the true meaning of the gifts we give to one another in love. We weren't wealthy, we weren't poor -- we just were. We never wanted for anything, except maybe more time together.... When Eddie was twelve years old, all he wanted for Christmas was a bike. Although his life had gotten harder -- and money tighter -- since his father died and the family bakery closed...Eddie dreamed that somehow his mother would find a way to have his dream bike gleaming beside their modest Christmas tree that magical morning. What he got from her instead was a sweater. "A stupid, handmade, ugly sweater" that young Eddie left in a crumpled ball in the corner of his room. Scarred deeply by the realization that kids don't always get what they want, and too young to understand that he already owned life's most valuable treasures, that Christmas morning was the beginning of Eddie's dark and painful journey on the road to manhood. It will take wrestling with himself, his faith, and his family -- and the guidance of a mysterious neighbor named Russell -- to help Eddie find his path through the storm clouds of life and finally see the real significance of that simple gift his mother had crafted by hand with love in her heart. Based on a deeply personal true story, The Christmas Sweater is a warm and poignant tale of family, faith and forgiveness that offers us a glimpse of our own lives -- while also making us question if we really know what's most important in them.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 240 more reviews...
OK But Could Have Been Better *Contains Spoilers* January 6, 2009 Rockhound (Bridgeton, NJ) I'm a fan of Glenn Beck. We usually agree on most things so when I heard him talking about this book I wanted to read it. My wife bought it for me for Christmas and I began reading it right away. The crux of the story is of a boy named Edward who's family has been hit with hard times and he asks God for a bicycle for Christmas and basically tells God He owes him. Well, as you might expect, Edward is not only disappointed on Christmas morning but he begins down a road of self loathing and rebellion to the point he doesn't know how to get out of it. After another tragedy, he goes to live with his grandparents who, in the beginning, he adores but as time goes by and his attitude gets worse, he starts keeping them at arms distance to the point of spending most of his time with his friend, Taylor who Edward feels is living the life of Riley. Where this book goes awry is in the relationship between Eddie and Taylor. While Eddie thinks Taylor has it made, Taylor makes the comment that things aren't what they seem. Trouble is, you never find out what he means. This aspect is quickly forgotten. However, his relationship with his mysterious neighbor, Russell, is quite obvious and it make sense to the story. Then, of course, there's the ending. That's why this book only gets 3 stars from me. It's still worth reading because it's basically It's A Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol rolled into one.
Well worth reading! January 6, 2009 V. Hutson (Duluth, MN) I don't want to give away the ending--so I will keep this review short. I purchased the book for my mother who is a big fan of Glenn Beck. When she finished it she recommended that I should read it. I wouldn't call myself a solid fan of Glenn's--but I sure like him when he fighting for a cause I also believe in! I started to read this last night and I finished it just a few hours ago. It is definitely a book that is hard to put down. The overall message is great--and perhaps if more people read this book there could be real "change" in the world.
Pulp pap January 2, 2009 Flameworker (Virginia) 0 out of 2 found this review helpful
I wanted to like this book. Considering all the miserable news of 2008, I needed to like this book, to find something wonderful and uplifting. Instead I found a predictable, over-the-top melodrama, like a Lifetime movie in print.
Great for Teenagers - a story with a twist! January 2, 2009 Monty Lewis (San Marcos, TX USA) As a middle school English teacher, I am forever looking for literature for my students that has many facets: plot, vocabulary, historical value, geographical awareness, spiritual influence, etc. The Christmas Sweater is a wonderfully written book. I required both of my 8th-grade classes to read the book. I purchased the CD's as well to assist my students with reading challenges. Several of my students had read the book before I ever assigned it! They came back from the Thanksgiving holidays saying their parents had read it; they were giving as gifts, etc. I introduced the book to my classes by using the video clip of Glenn Beck's interview. I also created a power point presentation to show my students - especially the second language learners - pictures of locales, vehicles, Wonder Bread, etc. This helped the students "connect" with items from past as well as the REAL person from present-day TV/radio. I will probably use this novel for my 8th graders as long as I continue to teach English!
Entertaining January 1, 2009 Penelope J. Parisi This was a quick read! It got a bit preachy at the end and I was disappointed he didn't give the real facts. However, I enjoyed the story and passed it on to my sister.
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